5. MAGIC JOHNSON -- As Scoop writes, "The child with the basketball made the world match his smile."

6. LARRY BIRD -- LB was asked if he once told his teammates in a championship game to give him the ball and get out of the way. Bird said, "It wasn't a championship game. I said that in every game when it was close.

7. KAREEM ABDUL JABBAR -- Scored more points than anyone ever has and (probably) ever will. Averaged 29 and 15 as a rook.

8. JERRY WEST -- 14-time All-Star, one title, averaged 27, 6 boards and 7 assists per for his career.

9. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL -- Has averaged 28 and 12 over ten seasons, with three titles. So far...

10. JULIUS ERVING -- The original leader of the new school. Over 30,000 points in his combined ABA/NBA career.

11. ELGIN BAYLOR -- The most important player in NBA history, which is greater than great.

12. HAKEEM OLAJUWON -- Only man to rank in the League's all-time Top 10 in points, boards, blocks and steals.

13. KARL MALONE -- He's not hip-hop, but he is revolutionary.

14. BOB PETTIT -- At 6-9, 200 pounds, played a decade, won one MVP, and retired with career averages of 26.4 ppg and 16.2 rpg.

15. JOHN HAVLICEK -- Always made the big play. Scored 26,395 for his career.

16. MOSES MALONE -- The best player on the best team in NBA history, the '82-83 Sixers, who finished 77-18 (including 12-1 in the playoffs). Won three MVPs.

17. ISIAH THOMAS -- "If he were six inches taller, we're talking about the greatest player in the history of basketball." -- Chuck Daly.

18. JOHN STOCKTON -- All-time leader in steals and assists. Now, at 41 years old, averages 8 assists per game and hasn't missed a start in five seasons.

19. CHARLES BARKLEY -- At 6-4 1/2, Barkley took on much bigger opponents every night and annihilated them. Just ask Godzilla.
20. WALT FRAZIER -- Teamed with Earl Monroe to win the Knicks' only two NBA titles.

21. RICK BARRY -- Averaged 35.6 PPG in his second season. Only man to lead NBA and ABA in scoring. First team All-NBA five times and All-ABA four times.

22. BOB COUSY -- Led the NBA in assists eight straight seasons. Won six titles. He was the Celtics.

23. ELVIN HAYES -- He willed the 1978 Bullets to a ring. He and Rick Barry were the first Bird/Magic. Had an unstoppable turnaround J.

24. DAVE COWENS -- Was a center at just 6-9, 230, but averaged 18 PPG and 14 rpg for his career. Once led his team in points, rebounds and assists for a season. Won two titles.

38. PAUL ARIZIN -- Two-time scoring leader, scored 16K points in 10 years, including missing two years due to military service. One title.

39. DAVE DEBUSSCHERE -- Averaged 16 and 11 for his career. All-Defense first team from '69 through '74. Was Pistons player/coach at 24 years old. Won title in 1970. Pitched two year for the Chicago White Sox.

40. ALEX ENGLISH -- Dropped 30 on the regular. Scored over 25,000 in his career.

41. SCOTTIE PIPPEN -- Maybe the most valuable player on the Bulls throughout the '90s. Mike drew attention, Scottie drew charges.

42. NATE ARCHIBALD -- An NYC playground legend. Averaged 34 PPG and 11 apg in one season. Known as Nate "The Skate" -- only people in suits called him "Tiny."

49. JERRY LUCAS -- Averaged 20 points and 20 boards in a season. Twice. Won championships in high school, college, the Olympics and the NBA.

50. PETE MARAVICH -- He needs to see Jason Williams play, he needs to see all the And1 Mix Tapes. Then again, Pete Maravich is probably seeing all of it. Looking down from above, saying, "They finally got it."

51. HAL GREER -- 6-2 guard that played 15 years, retiring in 1973 as one of the League's Top 10 scorers. "Greatest mid-range jumpshooter in the history of the game." -- Dolph Schayes.

52. REGGIE MILLER -- The best buzzer-beater we've ever known. Started over 100 playoff games and averaged 23.5 points per, better than his regular-season PPG

53. ALLEN IVERSON -- Changed the NBA's palming rules. Fastest player of all time, that angular speed, not just end to end.

54. DAN ISSEL -- Five ABA seasons and 10 NBA years. Regularly rocked the rim -- was invited to participate in the inaugural ABA Dunk Contest.

55. TIM DUNCAN -- Second player in history to be All NBA and All Defensive in his first five seasons. He makes it hard for you haters.

56. ROBERT PARISH -- The original stone cold morning pimp. Played 21 seasons and won four rings. Finished with remarkably blunt numbers.

57. JAMES WORTHY -- Averaged 18 and 5 in 12 years with the Showtime Lakers. Seven-time All-Star, one-time Finals MVP. Three rings.

58. SAM JONES -- Won ten titles with Boston and had five All-Star Game appearances.

59. KOBE BRYANT -- Even seven years and three rings deep, hasn't had a team to call his own. Our guess? Next time he'll be closer to six than 60.

60. LENNY WILKENS -- One of two players (John Wooden is the other) to make the Hall of Fame as a player and coach. Outside of Jerry West, perhaps the greatest basketball life of all time.

61. JASON KIDD -- JKidd is no Magic, but he is the greatest all-around PG in the game today. There will never be another Magic, but if Kidd keeps this up there may never be another Kidd, either.

63. DENNIS JOHNSON -- Bird stole the ball, but who made the f**king basket? Arguably the greatest defensive guard of all time.

64. CHRIS WEBBER -- Always among League leaders in points and rebounds, and flirts with a triple-double every night. Combines inside strength with a consistent jumper. Who does it better?

65. CHRIS MULLIN -- The greatest Warrior of the '80s and '90s. Between '88 and '93, averaged 25.8 PPG, 5.6 rpg and 1.9 spg. The West Coast Larry Bird.

66. MARK AGUIRRE -- An unstoppable offensive force. During the '80s averaged 29.5, then 25.7, 22.6, 25.7 and 25.1 PPG Won two rings with Detroit.

67. CONNIE HAWKINS -- One 6-9, massive-hands-havin', futuristic-dunk-givin', 30-ppg-droppin' gentleman. Prohibited from playing in the NBA until he was 30 because of his background -- that's Hawk's life in one sentence.

68. SPENCER HAYWOOD -- As a rook in the ABA in '69, Haywood averaged 30 and 20 PPG and won ROY and MVP. Averaged 24.5 PPG and 12.5 rpg for Seattle between '70 and '75. His lawsuit brought down the NBA's ban on underclassmen entering the draft.

69. DENNIS RODMAN -- Had '60s-era rebounding numbers, a tireless work ethic, an Iversonian relationship with practice, played airtight man-to-man defense. Won five rings.

70. KEVIN GARNETT -- Never played in college, but has been an All-Star every season, won a gold medal, gets at least 20, 10 and 5 every night. He turns 27 in May.

71. DAVE BING -- Helped put Detroit on the map as a hoops Mecca. Averaged 26 and 7 in '67-68. Since retiring in '78, his Bing Steel has been one of the most successful businesses run by any former athlete. If Charles Barkley doesn't want to be a role model, we got Dave Bing.

72. ALONZO MOURNING -- We thought he was inhuman -- in a good way. If the NBA had a lab where it created paint-banging big men, the prototype might be Zo.

73. BILL WALTON -- Only played the equivalent of six seasons, but won two titles and an MVP. Averaged 18 and 14 from '75-78.

74. GRANT HILL -- Has played nine years, three of those on a shattered ankle, and still has career averages of 21, 8 and 6.

75. TRACY MCGRADY -- He's only been All-NBA twice, only averaged at least 20 in a season twice. Averaged 25, 8 and 5 over last (nearly) three years. Turns 24 in May.

Manu is the best passer on the team. Second is Brent. Third is Beno. Fourth is Tony. Tony has less of a passing instinct than those other three guys and his court vision is not as good, so his passes are a little less sharp. Manu has the complete package in terms of passing ability - court vision, excellent fundamental passing skills (chest pass, lob, bounce pass, baseball pass etc), timing, risk-taking. IMO he is the best passing SG in the league right now.

But Tony has already become a pretty good passer, and you still want the ball in his hands because he will call the plays and make the decisions. He's going to get better at it just by playing with those three other guys.

I think his point was that at the time of the article (March 2003), David robinson had only one ring.
Obviously he would be higher now, facotring this into the equation. There is for example no way that Drob is ranked lower than Patrick Ewing...

Some other player has more in every major category! more points (Jabbar), more rebounds (chamberlin), more titles (Russell), more scoring titles, more steals (my main man Alvin Robertson),more assists (Stockton),more blocks(Eaton) and more MVP's (Jabbar). I never understood how he could be on top when he does not own any NBA records to speak of!! Russell, Chamberlin, and Jabbar should be 1, 2, 3,

Even with one ring, Drob should be higher than Ewing. Ewing had no rings, no MVPs, no DPOYs.
Same situation with Tim Duncan vs AI. Its one MVP, one ring, one Finals MVP, better First team and Defensive team selections for TD vs one MVP and worse First team and defensive team selections for AI. Only thing AI has that Tim doesn't is a bunch of scoring titles.

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Whatcha gonna do when Huxamania runs wild on you?!!

Some other player has more in every major category! more points (Jabbar), more rebounds (chamberlin), more titles (Russell), more scoring titles, more steals (my main man Alvin Robertson),more assists (Stockton),more blocks(Eaton) and more MVP's (Jabbar). I never understood how he could be on top when he does not own any NBA records to speak of!! Russell, Chamberlin, and Jabbar should be 1, 2, 3,

Tim Duncan isn't leading the league in any particular stats category right now, why does so many here consider him the best player in the NBA?

Doesn't own any NBA records? Well, think again.
It's one thing to not agree on Mike being the G.O.A.T., it's another to sit back and make ignorant and incorrect assumptions on Mike's game.

I didn't want to use stats to justify MJ's greatness, but since you brought it up, here you go:

NBA records MJ owns

Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading league in scoring -- 10; highest points per game average (minimum 400 games or 10,000 points) -- 31.5; most seasons leading league in field goals made -- 10; and most seasons leading league in field goals attempted -- 10

Shares the NBA career record for most seasons with 2,000 or more points -- 11; and most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring --7 (1986-87 through 1992-93)

Holds single-game records for most free throws made in one half -- 20 (December 30, 1992, at Miami); and most free-throws attempted in one half -- 23 (December 30, 1992, at Miami)

Shares single-game records for most free throws made in one quarter -- 14 (December 30, 1992, at Miami); and most free-throws attempted in one quarter -- 16 (December 30, 1992, at Miami)

Holds the NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average -- 41.0 ppg
Holds NBA Finals record for most three-point field goals made -- 42; and most consecutive games with 20 or more points -- 35 (June 2, 1991-June 14, 1998)

Holds the NBA Finals single-game record for most points in one half -- 35 (June 3, 1992 vs. Portland)

Shares NBA Finals single-game records for most field goals made in one half -- 14; and most three-point field goals made in one half -- 6 (June 3, 1992, vs. Portland); most free throws made in one quarter -- 9 (June 11, 1997 vs. Utah); and most free throws attempted in one half -- 15 (June 4, 1997, vs. Utah)

Holds the NBA Playoffs record for most points -- 5,987; highest points-per-game average (minimum 25 games or 625 points) -- 33.4 ppg; most field goals attempted -- 4,497; most free throws made -- 1,463; most free throws attempted -- 1,766; and most steals -- 376

Scored a career playoff-high 63 points against the Boston Celtics on 4/20/86, setting an NBA record for most points in a playoff game

Holds single-game playoff records for most free throws made in one quarter -- 13; and most free throws attempted in one quarter -- 14 (May 21, 1991, vs. Detroit)

Shares single-game playoff records for most field goals made -- 24 (May 1, 1998, vs. Cleveland); most field goals attempted in one half -- 25 (May 1, 1988, vs. Cleveland); and most three-point field goals made in one half -- 6 (June 6, 1992, vs. Portland)

# Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98)
# Ten-time All-NBA First Team selection (1986-87 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98)
# Selected in 1996 as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History"
# A member of six Chicago Bulls NBA championship teams (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98)
# Six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
# The 1987-88 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and record nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (1987-88 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98)
# Entering 2002-03, ranked first in NBA history in scoring average (31.0 ppg), second in steals (2,391), fourth in points (30,652) and in field-goals made (11,513), fifth in free-throws made (7,061), sixth in field-goals attempted (23,010) and eighth in free-throws attempted (8,448)
# Closed the 1997-98 season as the Bulls' all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds (5,836), assists (5,012), steals, games (930), field-goals made and attempted and free-throws made and attempted (8,115) Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in scoring (10)
# Shares the NBA record with Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive seasons leading the league in scoring (seven, 1986-87 to 1992-93)
# Holds the NBA record for most consecutive games scoring in double-digits (842)
# Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in field-goals made (10) and attempted (10)
# Led the NBA in steals in 1987-88 (3.16 spg), 1989-90 (2.77 spg) and 1992-93 (2.83 spg)
# Holds the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one half (20 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most most free-throws attempted in one half (23 in the same game)
# Shares the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one quarter (14 against the Utah Jazz on 11/15/89 and against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most free-throws attempted in one quarter (23 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92)
# Holds the NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average (41.0 ppg in 1993)
# Entering the 2002-03 season, ranks as the all-time NBA Finals leader in three-pointers made (42), second in three-point attempts (114), third in points (1,176), fourth in steals (62), fifth in field-goals made (438), sixth in assists (209) and free-throws made (258), seventh in field-goals attempted (911) and eighth in free-throws attempted (320)
# Holds the NBA Playoffs record for highest career scoring average (33.4 ppg)
# Established an NBA Playoffs record with 63 points against the Boston Celtics on 5/20/86
# Entering the 2002-03 season ranks as the all-time NBA Playoffs leader in field-goals attempted (4,497), free-throws made (1,463) and attempted (1,766), second in steals (376) and field-goals made (2,188), fifth in assists (1,022), seventh in three-point attempts (446) and ninth in three-pointers made (148)
# Recorded two playoff career triple-doubles, both against the New York Knicks (5/9/89 and 6/2/93)
# Participated in 13 NBA All-Star Games (1985, 1987-1993, 1996-98, 2002-03), starting 13 times, and missed another due to injury
# Named the MVP of the 1988, 1996 and 1998 NBA All-Star Games
# All-time NBA All-Star Game leader in steals (35) and ranks second in field-goal attempts (206), third in points (242), fourth in scoring average (20.2 ppg), and eighth in assists (52)
# Notched the first triple-double in All-Star Game history, with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland
# Won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1987 and 1988, also participating in 1985
# Notched his 28th career triple-double, with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, against the Toronto Raptors on 4/14/97
# Returned from retirement against the Indiana Pacers on 3/19/95 and posted 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in 43 minutes

Who ever thinks Wilt Chamberlain is better than Michael Jordan doesn't know thier basketball greats all that well. Thats not downgrading Chamberlain at all, he's still Top 5 in legends, but Jordan is the basketball greatest of all time.

Anybody who thinks MJ isn't number 1 needs to put down the crack pipe. There, I said it.

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"Married men live longer. Yes. And an indoor cat also lives longer. It's a furball with a broken spirit, that can only look out on a world it can never enjoy. But it does technically live longer." - Bill Maher

Karl Malone at #13; I guess individual awards are as good as championships!

WTF?! Why is Karl on 13th spot?! That's stupid. Robinson is just too low compared to many other players. Tim? We'll see when will he be after his career ends. However if Iverson is currently before Tim, he is going to stay there forever. The thing that puts him there (I don't know what that is) will not be gone.

Anybody who thinks MJ isn't number 1 needs to put down the crack pipe. There, I said it.

Sorry Joe, Dark Diety, your both wrong. Wilt was the single most dominant individual player of all time. The only thing that MJ has on him is championships. The reason MJ's ahead there is because of less competition -The Celtics teams that Wilt had to beat were stacked!! (3 Top 50 of all time, Hall of Famers down to the 9th spot on the bench). No team MJ ever played against was even close to those teams. As far as individual capabilities goes, Wilt was not only the best scorer ever, he may well have been the best passing big man ever - There is no one else who has ever led the league in assists from the centre spot. Had blocks been recorded when he played, it is likely that there would be a few more triple double seasons on record (currently there is only Oscar Robertson).

GOAT-Wilt. Anyone who has ever seen him play and has checked his stats against any era, would see a force. Like Tim and MJ, Wilt could play on any team. Throwback, Present, and Future. He was that good.

He's never been an All Star, never been an MVP, never been an All NBA Player, never led the league in scoring, rebounding, assists, blocks or steals. His career numbers are 7.5 ppg and 5.10 rpg. Do those numbers jump out at you as being a player that was overlooked? Maybe his playoff numbers will: 9.0 ppg and 6.20 rpg.

Robert Horry has been fortunate to be on two very good championship teams: The mid-90's Rockets and the recent Lakers 3-Peat. He has made significant contributions to both teams and has hit some memorable shots in the postseason, but he was never the focal point of those teams, nor was he even the second option offensively. He was simply a very effective and savvy role player who has contributed to 5 NBA Championship teams and counting.

His collection of rings not withstanding, Horry is neither a HOF player nor one of the 75 greatest players of all-time.

What's the point in arguing if David Robinson should be higher than Patrick Ewing? Neither player is Top 10 nor do they deserve to be. That's really where the list should end anyway.

I mean, should Dave Bing really take pride in the fact that some dumb magazine (whose editors probably never even saw him play) consider him the 71st best player in NBA History? Maybe he should print out some cards with this acolade on it?

It explains why I posted an old article about Drob, I just love it when people pay me and Dave attention. The reason why I defended MJ in this thread is so obvious, he's been a secret Raptors for years, didn't anyone know that?

I wouldn't say it is for kids but I would say it is a weak magazine. Who cares what slam! wrote in an old magazine. But, I have to agree with some here. The Jordan thing Michael was great and possibly (the Greatest of All-Time) but people always say hands down and that is a great joke. Bill Russell Eleven Rings. Magic Johnson a championship as a rookie. Kareem most points in NBA history. Chamberlin a dominant force. Larry Bird more clutch than Jordan. Jordan is arguably the greatest but not beyond a shadow of a doubt. If you don't believe me get on Ebay and see if you can some find games so you can see season 1984-1991 for Jordan you know before he won the rings.

Gary Payton in front of Timmy AND Chris Mullin!!!!! I demand a re-count...this is !!!

-oh, wait it's SLAM Magazine.

(whew-I thought it was important!)

The real proof this article is a peice of $h!t???? Patrick Ewing #28...David Robinson #36

Grow up. What exactly makes Patrick Ewing a POS??

Ewing is the 13th leading scorer in NBA History with 24,815. Robinson is 25th with 20,790.

Ewing is 20th in career rebounds with 11,607; Robinson is 26th with 10,497.

Maybe these numbers had something to do with it! Say what you will about him, but Ewing was no slouch. Remember, if Duncan doesn't come here, Robinson never wins squat and is in the same boat Ewing is in.